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Submitted by
rshauvin
a Cross Country Rider
from spokane, wa usaDate Reviewed: August 9, 2010
Strengths: Size,PriceWeaknesses: Crummy head.Bottom Line: like others does not work well on my Schrader valves and hard to get high pressure. Flimsy adjusting head bent the first time I used it...touch and go to get any air into the tube. Maybe I just don't get flats enough to have mastered this thing but I'm done trying...shopping for a new pump...and reading the reviews FIRST this time....
Favorite Trail: seven mile
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At: REI
Similar Products Used: none.
Bike Setup: Bionicon- Edison LTD Sram X9
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Submitted by
Surestick Malone
a Cross Country Rider
from Montreal, QCDate Reviewed: March 29, 2010
Strengths: SmallWeaknesses: SmartHead isn't.
Doesn't seem to work on Schrader valves. The piece that's supposed to push the pin on the valve to open it has a really weak spring behind it so it doesn't work.Bottom Line: I wouldn't buy this pump again.
I got it for my commuter that has Schrader valves and as mentioned above it wouldn't work. When I needed it the only way to get air into the tire was to pump hard enough to build up enough pressure to force the valve open and using this method I was able to get enough air into the tire to just keep the rim off the ground and limp home.
Favorite Trail: The one I'm on
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At: LBS
Similar Products Used: Several Blackburn pumps that have worked flawlessly.
Bike Setup: N/A
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Submitted by
karlgabel
a Weekend Warrior
from Henderson, NV, USADate Reviewed: November 21, 2008
Strengths: Works ok at low to mid pressures. Nice design.Weaknesses: Poor at high pressures. The locking head on mine blew up (literally shrapnel everywhere) when the cool weather set in and I tried to use the pump. Looks like a manufacturing flaw - the locking head split.Bottom Line: Look elsewhere.
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$1.00
Similar Products Used: None
Bike Setup: Trek 1200 road bike.
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Submitted by
Eric Xerxean
a Cross Country Rider
from Ellicott City,MD,USADate Reviewed: April 29, 2008
Strengths: Solid metal Construction
Smarthead works flawlessly with schrader and presta
Locking handleWeaknesses: Seems a little weak at higher pressures (90+lbs). A little heavy.Bottom Line: I bought this and then read the reviews. Normally not a good thing. It seems that a significant number of people were having complaints with the multi-head design of the SmartHead. So with some trepidation I tried it on my MTB and roadie.
Bottom line: works flawlessly. In fact it works better than any single head or manual multi head I've ever tried.
Here's what I think is happening: Others are jamming the stem of the schrader into it because thats what they are used to with lower quality pumps. I tried this and it doesn't work well. All you have to do is gently insert the schrader and flip the thumblock. For presta valves, the insertion is a little deeper. Give it a try.
I took this on a 200 mile/3 day trail ride. I have schraders and my buddy had presta. No problems filling flats or topping off.
Two more points:
* The construction of this pump is great. The little plunger that activates the valve is metal. The #1 reason pumps have failed on me (esp. blackburns) is that this is made of plastic. The thumblock is metal as well..
* Finally, Toppeak deserves some criticism for not clearly documenting how this pump is to be used. No excuse for that.
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At: REI
Similar Products Used: Blackburn
Bike Trails
Bike Setup: Giant MTB and Trek Road Bike
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Submitted by
Kieran
a Cross Country Rider
from Fountain, NC USADate Reviewed: May 5, 2007
Strengths: Cage mount is solidWeaknesses: Takes forever to pump, unreliableBottom Line: Got the pump wet (submerged), and it stopped working. I can't tolerate a piece of equipment for a MTB that can't handle the abuse the bike and I take. I need stuff that works when I need it, and when I NEED it is the last place I want to find out that a little water totalled my pump. It let me down, so it's into the dustbin. It never pumped very well anyway, often leaking half of the air going in at the pump head. I took it apart and it's an absolute cheap piece of crap. Bottomline - unreliable.
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Price Paid:
$18.00
Similar Products Used: Zefal
Bike Setup: '06 FSR Comp
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Submitted by
Gilbert
a Weekend Warrior
from LA, CA, USADate Reviewed: February 24, 2007
Strengths: Good Looking. Good for Presta.Weaknesses: The "Stupid Head" does not work for Schrader.Bottom Line: I do not know how Topeak can claim SmartHead works for both types. It does not work for Schrader at all. My bike has Presta and my wife's bike has Schrader. I thought this one should be good for both. Big mistake. Now I have to carry this pump for my bike, and my old pump for my wife's bike.
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$19.00
Purchased At: JensonUSA
Bike Setup: Giant Trance.
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Submitted by
Josh
a Cross Country Rider
from Bozeman, MtDate Reviewed: April 26, 2006
Strengths: Great pump, works well on both valve types. Locks on very well.Weaknesses: A bit hard to get on the schrader valve.Bottom Line: Best pump I've used so far. Just returned my Crank Brothers because it work on and off again. This pump works well so far and does what it should. Locks on securly and easily. Works on both valves with out having to flip anything. Look's cool?
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At: LBS
Similar Products Used: Crank Brothers Alloy Power Pump (Crap)
Bike Setup: FSR
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Submitted by
apprentice
from bum, ba, dumDate Reviewed: April 1, 2006
Strengths: Looks cool, pumps smoothly, not that expensiveWeaknesses: The stupid "Smarthead" doesn't workBottom Line: I was at REI today trying to decide what mini pump to get. I decided on the Topeak Peak Master Blaster DX because it looked cool and wasn't too long/bulky. I then happily brought it home and put it on my rear tire to test it out.
Well, the Smarthead was too small for the Schrader valve! I thought that this was normal, so I pushed the Smarthead onto the valve really hard because it wasn't anywhere near close enough to actually press the Schrader valve itself. The Smarthead became stuck on the valve, and I only got it off after five perplexing minutes of using brute strength and then gripping the valve with a pair of pliers and yanking the pump off. The Smarthead rubber/plastic was shredded and I am definitely going to return this horrible product tomorrow.
So...it looks cool...but it DOESN'T WORK. Don't buy it. Ever.
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Similar Products Used: Topeak Joe Blow Sport Floor Pump
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Submitted by
Jason McAlister
from Olympia, WADate Reviewed: December 27, 2005
Strengths: LightweightWeaknesses: Cheap components, weak action.Bottom Line: Man, what a piece of crap. It was nearly impossible to fill the tire. The rubber that was supposed to grip the valve shredded. It would not make a good seal. Then the handle stem snapped off inside the compression tube. After taking it apart I realized that the inner components were all cheap plastic. I guess you get what you pay for.
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$22.00
Purchased At: Oly Bikes
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
GBE
a Weekend Warrior
from Washington, DCDate Reviewed: July 1, 2005
Strengths: Small, lightweight, "t"-style handleWeaknesses: Very difficult to get to any significant pressureBottom Line: I didn't expect it would be easy to inflate a 700c x 32 with this pumpt, but I didn't think it would be impossible, either. I'd avoid this pump unless weight/size is more important than function.
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At: REI
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Ryan
a Cross Country Rider
from Niagara FallsDate Reviewed: June 29, 2005
Strengths: Does not seem to leak, is compact, mounting bracket included, smart head works on both valves well.Weaknesses: Hard to grip at the end with the head, takes a long time, but i suppose it is a "mini" pump, no gage.Bottom Line: I was expecting more from this little pump. Maybe that was wrong of me, but it is such a workout to get sufficient pressure into a 2.1" tire with this little pump. In the end, it will fill it though, and i guess that is all you need in a mini pump.
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$15.00
Similar Products Used: CCM dual action pup with gage.
Bike Setup: 2002 Rainier with 2.1" tires
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Submitted by
David C. Menges
from Denver, CO, USDate Reviewed: May 5, 2005
Strengths: Lighter than Morphs. Cheap. Handles either valve without disassembly of pump (and loss of small parts). T handle nice, turn 1/2 way to lock into body for transport. No back pressure like some pumps.Weaknesses: Teenage son broke mounting bracket. Topeak sent another quickly, but he broke it too. Not a problem for me - I just throw the pump (in stuff sack w Alien, etc.) in a pannier or whatever.Bottom Line: Best combination of features, durability, size, cost, and availability. Works so well that if I didn't have a floor pump, I wouldn't buy one. Have bought 3 now, for son, friend, and myself.
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Price Paid:
$18.00
Purchased At: REI
Similar Products Used: Crank Brothers mini pump, Silca frame pumps, ancient Zefals.
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Submitted by
Ev
a Cross Country Rider
from Edm, AB, CanadaDate Reviewed: May 4, 2005
Strengths: Nice mounting design
Small
Easy to use
Light
It WORKS!!Weaknesses: its a little bit hard to get on a presta valve, but really you just need to be a bit carefull.Bottom Line: THis pump is awesome, it is a little small and takes awhile to inflate, but it's nice always have a pump on you when biking. I have had no problems with the pump, and am very happy with my purchase.
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Price Paid:
$19.00
Purchased At: River Valley Cycle
Bike Setup: NRS
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
YR
a Cross Country Rider
from IsraelDate Reviewed: January 16, 2004
Strengths: light
nice head cover
Auto dual valve
good harness
priceWeaknesses: Too small an area for the hand near the valve makes it a bit hard to pump for a long timeBottom Line: After loosing one while transporting the bike I new
what type of harness I wanted. The next one failed
the first time I needed it. I tossed it and got this one.
I used it and it is great also the attachment is secure
so one thing less to worry about.
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Price Paid:
$14.00
Purchased At: UCSB Bookstore
Similar Products Used: many
Bike Setup: NRS
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Submitted by
Ricardo
from Sedona, AZDate Reviewed: August 11, 2003
Strengths: Very light and compact. Feels good in the hand while pumping. Nice bracket design - no problems so far with it falling off or crud contamination. It pumps up tires.Weaknesses: A bit tight on schrader valves, but I always get a good seal (I do focus hard for just a second when putting it on the valve... fo-cus fo-cus). It's super light and compact, and has worked great, so I hesitate with the nit-pickities: 1) I do question the ability of the cap (bracket asembly) to seal the vitals in muddy conditions - been fine in the desert.
2) I do wish it had a pressure gauge, but all the pumps with guages seemed heavy (VERY limited selection here in N. AZ), and I wanted an emergeny pump anyway.Bottom Line: Very light, compact and comfortable to use. Does what it's supposed to and has worked great for me thus far! (used frequently)
I run fairly low pressure in 2.2" tires (30-35 lbs)and it has no problem filling them quickly and efficiently to that point. If you run higher pressure than 50# I can see that it may be too small a pump for you.
All in all I'm totally happy!
It IS a compact pump, so keeping it within that catagory I'll give it five flamin' belly burners.
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At: LBS
Similar Products Used: Zefel, Balckburn
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Reviews 1 - 15 (24 Reviews Total)
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